Your heating and cooling system is one of the hardest-working components of your home. It keeps you warm during winter nights and cool during hot summer afternoons. Whatever the use, your HVAC system requires regular maintenance. Proper maintenance prevents inconvenient breakdowns and prolongs the life span of your system. Here are some effective tips to maintain your home heating and cooling system.
Change Your Air Filters
Periodically changing your air filter is one of the simple and most impactful tips for keeping your HVAC system up and running. A dirty, clogged, or outdated air filter is going to restrict airflow. It will cause the system to work harder to push air through. It can cause the system to freeze your coils or overheat your components.
Check your filters monthly and change them every 30 days. If you have pets or allergies, you may need to do it more often. There are high-efficiency filters if you wish to capture smaller particles and improve your interior air quality.
Clean and Unclog Vents and Registers
Vents and registers can get dirty and dust. Furniture, books, or carpets can restrict how much cool or warm air gets in and out of your house. They can also hinder the proper operation and efficiency of your HVAC system. Just as you should perform regular maintenance on your HVAC equipment, you should do a walk-around of the heating and air conditioning vents in your house.
Ensure each vent and register is unclogged, and clean the dust and pet hair with a vacuum brush. It is an easy job, which will help air circulate in your house and help maintain the energy of your HVAC system.
Schedule Regular Professional Inspection
Even when your system seems to be operating correctly, it is good practice to have it checked at least once a year by a trained HVAC technician. If you live in Bend, Oregon, your options are endless. A Bend HVAC repair expert can help ensure that your system remains in good condition over time. Regular check-ups can catch minor issues before they become bigger.
The technicians will:
- Check essential components
- Confirm refrigerant level
- Clean coils
- Verify thermostat readings
- Test for proper function of the complete system for safety and efficiency
Ideally, you should schedule an inspection for your cooling and heating system during the spring and fall.
Clear Areas Around Outdoor Unit
If you have an air system, the outdoor conder unit needs good airflow. This may be the most overlooked outdoor component because of the odds of being blocked by overgrown bushes or shrubs. If the unit is blocked and cannot vent out the warm air, it may overheat, limiting its ability to work efficiently.
You should check your outdoor unit every 2-4 weeks, especially after windy days or yard work. Try to maintain a 2-foot clear space around your unit and trim back bushes or branches. You can also spray it down with a garden hose to remove dirt and pollen.
Inspect and Seal Your Ductwork
One of the biggest energy spikes in a home is leaky ductwork. If warm or cold air exists, your ductwork before it reaches your rooms. Your HVAC system has to run longer to provide your home with the temperature you want. This usually leads to higher utility bills and more wear on your equipment.
Inspect the sections of the ductwork that are accessible and look for visible gaps and holes. Use mastic sealant or metal tape on small leaks. If you want a thorough inspection or suspect your ducts are leaking or not insulated very well, consider hiring a professional to inspect them. Sealing and insulating ducts can improve system efficiency by up to 20%.
Upgrade Your Thermostat
If you are still using the old thermostat, it might be time to invest in a programmable or smart thermostat. These newer devices provide so much more opportunity to control the climate and thermal conditions of your heating and cooling schedule. Better control can extend the lifetime of your system by reducing unnecessary stress.
Smart thermostats can even ‘learn’ your habits and timings. They can automatically set different temperatures when you are away or asleep. Additionally, many models feature apps that allow you to change settings from anywhere. A properly utilized programmable thermostat can reduce as much as 10% of your energy bills annually.
Endnote
Keeping your home heating and cooling system in working order does not require a major commitment. Developing a few smart habits can help extend the life of your system and make a much more comfortable living environment for you and your family members. When an HVAC system is working as it should, it is easy to take it for granted. However, by performing regular preventive maintenance now can save you money by lowering your utility bills for years to come.
